ORIGIN

1955 Bristol 403

This 1955 Bristol 403 is said to have been imported from Switzerland in 2000 by noted car collector and California Mille founder Martin Swig. One of the very last 403’s built, this example is said to be in very good condition inside and out and comes with $17k worth of recent receipts. Find it here on eBay in North Andover, Massachusetts.

39 Comments

First, let me say that I really like this car. Obviously, never seen one before. Love the color, and the interior/walnut, etc. Love the flowing, sorta Deco lines: I see so many cars in this one: 47 Chevy, Porsche, Jag, many 30’s era, and on and on.

And, so as to not say anything negative, it looks like something that I would have designed.

The styling is probably an acquired taste, but I’d have to agree with Harry Bergeron that the greenhouse greatly upsets the balance. I feel the same way about Jag’s 2+2 E-type. Nothing could be done about the flat glass; this car is really a 1940s holdover design. Things got much cooler with the 404/405, but no less strange.

For me, this is a design that has nice elements; but doesn’t quite come together 100 percent. The front aspect is pretty awkward. I’m not sure why; but the larger lights inboard of the small lights looks odd to me. And the greenhouse, while not bad, seems a bit out of proportion with the rest of the car. On the other hand, the rear aspect and the sheetmetal below the greenhouse look pretty good. Still, I like Bristols (mostly the later ones like the 410,411,412 series) and wouldn’t mind having this in my garage.

I’m so confused! There’s so much beauty in individual areas, with a face that reminds me of a spider, not a spyder. To be fair though, with aerodynamics in mind, having the small lights on the outside lets air flow off and around the front more easily. Form following function. I would dump the chrome air cleaners for something more appropriate even if they did sound cool.

Thanks, BaT, for exposing these fine, elegant British garnd tourers to enthusiasts who may not have known about them. They have a great backstory (WW II reparations, the BMW push-me / pull-you valvetrain, aircraft inspirations) and were (and still are) a definite “dare to be different” choice. To learn more, see L.J.K. Setright’s book on Bristol; he was nutty about them. After having seen a few in person, including one driven by a necktie manufacturer on the Colorado Grand a few years ago, I really like this car and would love to drive one!

You have to see these up close and appreciate the detailing to really get a Bristol 401/403. They are beautifully aerodynamic, as befits the wartime love child of an airplane manufacturer (Bristol) and an aero engine company (BMW).

Maybe the engine is a bit puny for the weight, but if it had an Alfa badge the 401/403 would be seen as a real trend-setter.

@CJ– ok, just way to much to swallow like Beowulf or Canterbury Tales then. Not my idea of entertaining the senses but for others a masterpiece. BTW it’s won some awards but if you read the message between the print, there is enough to keep one busy for a long time. Not my bag.

Rick – Why would one need shows or tours to justify anything? That wouldn’t be even the tiniest part of my calculus; if I had the resources and wanted it, I’d just buy it simply to drive it. That’s what it’s for, no? Prewar BMWs are known to drive quite well for their time and this is arguably the highest evolution of that basic platform. The only change I’d make would be to pull the roundels off the doors.

Kevin – You can often borrow from your 401K rather than pull money out of it. I’ve done that in a pinch to finish up home renovations and wouldn’t hesitate to do it for finishing up my 327, which is a way better investment than any mutual fund. I think it works best when the market is crashing…

Saw this car at a show…. The best way I can describe the encounter is it is like meeting a late great famous entertainer or sports figure on a street corner. There is a rush of enthusiam and excitement that quickly fades in just a few minutes as you learn he is just a regular guy and no one special. I’d find a hard time making any use of a piece like this even if I had the resources to put into it. There just aren’t enough Brit car shows or tours to justify it. It’ll take a special encounter with staying power to make this work.

The slightly porpoise backed shape is just so smooth and obvious once the aircraft origins are known. And the whole gestalt is of an urZ3 coupe. A bit back heavy.

The rear view is remarkable. More sculpture than car. The side view is filled with swoops and curves. Just check out the complex curves at the leading edge of the front door to line up with the fender.

The interiors are gorgeous, not over-stuffed like a Bentley or Rolls. And, you can entertain four!

You’ll never see an another on your wanderings. Truly, I am shocked these are not $100k cars yet.

Yes, Martin Swig passed away in July. It was nice to see a wealthy collector who believed that his classics were meant to be driven. And despite his wealth and love of classics, one of his favorites according to his son was his 2008 Miata.

Martin Swig’s 403. You don’t need to know more than that to grasp its condition and drivability. I agree with grumpy old man that the air cleaners look out of place, but I’ll make allowances for a car that’s good enough to show, but was restored to be driven.

The British aesthetic from this period either works for you or it doesn’t. It’s certainly “characterful” rather than conventionally beautiful–an Edwardian gentleman’s club on wheels. Personally, I like it, though I’d rather have the shorter wheelbase 404.

Beautiful dash and interior and the exterior has some lovely lines if not viewing the totality of the bodywork. The forward visibility looks quite good but the massive C-pillar and tiny rear backlight would present a challenge to rearward vision.

Don’t care for the modern pancake air filters but could make for some nice intake noise.

I did not know that Martin Swig had passed away. I remember him at the Monterey Historics driving a variety of vintage automobiles. RIP.

@ DRV – The engine block is definitely shared with the EMW. The steering rack, suspension, and certain brake bits may also be shared. IIRS, these have aluminum bodies and are the school of cool…They are a direct result of German reparations to the UK for having caused much strife during WW2.

I have to agree, beauty is in the eye of the beholder indeed… it looks really good from many angles but head on, in my opinion, it’s just terrible. Looks like a BMW grille that developed a tumor. That mess of lines up front kills it for me, as interesting as the car may otherwise be.

Beauty is on the eye of the beholder….. I just beheld back a little in my mouth. Perhaps in person but in photo t’s an odd looking car. Perhaps had the headlights been on the outside it would look a little better. 356 rear haunches, XKE Coupe roof line, XK 120 windshield.. Volvo front fender Interior looks very nicely appointed, other then the odd Batman steering wheel. Isn’t that the thingy that the Cape Crusader used to whip out and zip line across buildings!.